Perth Voice Interactive

THE Perth Big Walk 4 Refugees drew about 70 people to Hyde Park last Saturday (March 23).

The event was part of a national campaign launched on February 13 this year – the one-year anniversary of the Albanese government’s announcement of permanent pathways to permanent residency for 19,000 refugees who have been on temporary visas for a decade or more. 

Speakers called for the government to expand the program to include another 9,000 refugees who have also spent a decade waiting for a chance to settle in Australia, but were left in limbo by a system advocates say the government knows was unfair.

Many folks across Australia have been walking to support this call for permanency, and have now collectively walked a distance that spans more than 3 times around Australia.

Ahwazi refugee Hossein arrived in Australia in 2012 after fleeing Iran and remains on a temporary visa.

Since then, he has completed a diploma of ICT Networking while learning English, and is a freelance journalist and human rights advocate.

“As a person who went through the Fast Track process, I can tell you how complicated and confusing it is,” Hossein said.

“We had no legal representation to complete the 40-page protection claim form because the government would not provide us with a lawyer, and we could not afford to pay one as we were not allowed to work at that time.

“I was lucky my English was good enough to at least understand the questions, but still the form was so confusing. 

The “Fast Track” process rejected many people, including my dad and I, and there is no way to get an independent review of our claim.

“I have been in Australia for over 11 years after my dad and I fled Iran to try to find a safe place to live. 

“Ever since I got the right to work here, I have been employed and contributing to society. I am helping Australia to fill the skills shortage.”

Curtin University Centre for Human Rights associate professor Caroline Fleay also spoke at the rally and called on the Labor government to bring 50 men languishing in Papua New Guinea, onto Australian soil.

“And along with the 1,000 others who are here after enduring years of being locked up on Nauru and Manus Island, a pathway to permanency must be provided for them,” Prof Fleay said.

“There must be an end to the dreadful uncertainty so that many are forced to live with. 

“It is time for the Australian government to finish the job and provide a pathway to permanency for all people seeking asylum.”

Other speakers included eye surgeon and writer Hessom Razavi, who visited Manus Island and Nauru in a professional capacity.

“Australia only stands to gain by allowing this small number of people to stay,” Dr Razavi said.

“We’ll gain morally, by ending their unnecessary suffering. 

“We’ll gain culturally by their enriching our communities. 

“And we’ll gain financially by allowing them to contribute even more to the economy. 

“It should be a no-brainer for our government to enact immediately.”

Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees general manager Suha Ali urged the crowd to support his organisation with donations so it can continue providing refugees with welfare and advocacy support.

CARAD’s March appeal can be found at: givenow.com.au/caradmarchappeal